Boats and Boating - The Latest News from the Asia Pacific & beyond

On this Easter eve, we take this opportunity to extend our very vest wishes for a safe, peaceful and enjoyable Easter break.

When it comes to news, well, as usual we have plenty to keep you occupied.

On the meandering Murray River, venue for last weekend's water ski race, we bring good news and bad news; the bad news is that ‘Blazen', the 21' Force of Noel Griffin is no more.

‘Blazen' was engulfed in flames and virtually destroyed just six minutes into the race.

The good news, of course, is that Noel Griffin and his observer Dennis Kelly both survived and will make a full recovery after treatment for severe burns.

On the NSW north coast, the very active Taree Aquatic Club is gearing up for its Easter meeting with UIM Unlimited Displacement World champion, Troy Marland and GP 1 hydroplane ace Grant Harrison among the stars competing.

The club will also stage a new event, the Victory Memorial in honour of champion driver Brian McCosker who was killed there on the Manning River last year.

Across the blue Pacific, there's a team of anglers probably still enjoying a few cold ones after winning the World Sailfish Championships off Key West and pocketing a neat parcel of prize money.

Now July 28 may seem a fair way into the future for some of us, but for the hard-working team at the Boating Industry Association of NSW it remains a case of all hands on deck as preparations continue for the 2011 Sydney International Boat Show.

The Sydney International Boat Show is no small affair and more than 5500 people are involved in bringing it to life; it's an exhibition not to be missed.

Plenty of offshore racing news, too, both across the Tasman Sea, in New Zealand, over in the Middle East and further still in Europe.

NSW speed and safety checks NSW Maritime .

Distance does not stop us here at Powerboat-World – we deliver the news from our worldwide sources.

Finally, don't forget, it is a five-day break and plenty of boats and people are likely to be out enjoying our waterways.

Take advice from NSW Maritime's Operation Safe Speed.

In conclusion, for our overseas readers who may be wondering why our four-day Easter break is a five-day break, I can explain; April 25 is ANZAC Day, the date on which we honour our fallen from all conflicts.

As it falls on Easter Monday, authorities in their wisdom gazetted an extra holiday.

For all those who have served and continue to do so, our thoughts are with you all.

If you do not want to continue to read about Motor boats and boating on a regular basis you canand you will not receive another Powerboat-World newsletter.

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